The Radiators
Road trip Jan 7 and 8, 2010

The New Orleans Radiators are a rock, swamp, funk, jam, hard working band. They have been touring non-stop for 33 years! Same 5 guys since 1978. But alas Ed, the keyboardist, said, "I'm 62 and I just want to stay home". So coming this June the Rads will hang it up. I've had many great memories with these guys and really will miss catching them from time to time. Of course, our favorite time to see them was every year closing jazzfest. That will be a tradition hard missed.

The Rads made their last run through Texas last weekend. Myself and a half dozen other friends all met to in Houston. They flew in from Minnesota, Oregon, Arizona, California and the rest of us from Texas. We hit the Rads at the House of Blues in Houston on Friday night.



The show was early and short (HOB) but a great set. One of our krewe got special passes for all of us to the foundation room. A hidden bar with special access hidden in the back and had special managers sky seats. We really didn't need the seats but the hidden bar was fun. After the HOB festivities were over we headed back to the hotel with boogie in our soul to finish out the night.

The next day we headed to Austin. In all the years I've lived in Texas I have been to Houston and Austin many times. But I had never once driven from Houston to Austin. A nice drive up 290 through Brenham, TX home of Blue Bell Ice Cream!

There isn't anyplace like Austin. That is a city that is just plain fun. And what a great place to see live music. But first the day started with football. We had to find a spot to watch the Saints take care of the hapless Seahawks. We went to the bonified Saints pub at 9th and Lamar. The place was rockin' with black and gold. It was also packed when we arrived at kick off. We stood through the first half then took off at the half time to find someplace to sit down for second half. The destination ended up at Woordrows on 6th street. We sat to see the Saints demise. Stunned for sure and sad, very sad. A re-dose of the Aint's less we forget...

Dinner was at the at Hoffbrau Steaks (not the chain, an Austin original). Then on to the legendary Antone's for the Rads.




This is a music town the Rads have been to many times and you could tell it is an old friend. Antone's was intimate, close and personal. The band was in high spirits. They pulled out all the stops and played well into the night. They opened the encore with a tribute to Elvis since it was his birthday.

Sunday we drove home. It was heavily snowing. Only two days ago in Houston it was in the 70s. We stopped at West to get Hot Chubbies. Then home.

It was a great time with buddies. But also yet another reflection of our age. Things as they were are fading away. But for two glorious nights we were allowed to travel back in time and dance the night away.